Introduction to the Palisades Fire After-Action Report
For nearly two months, Mayor Karen Bass has repeatedly denied that she was involved in altering an after-action report on the Palisades fire to downplay failures by the city and the Los Angeles Fire Department in combating the catastrophic blaze.
Background on the Alterations
But two sources with knowledge of Bass’ office said that after receiving an early draft, the mayor told then-interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva that the report could expose the city to legal liabilities for those failures. Bass wanted key findings about the LAFD’s actions removed or softened before the report was made public, the sources said — and that is what happened.
The Changes to the Report
The changes to the report, which was released on Oct. 8, came to light through a Times investigation published in December. The sources told The Times that two people close to Bass informed them of the mayor’s behind-the-scenes role in watering down the report. One source spoke to both of the people; the other spoke to one of them. The sources requested anonymity to speak frankly about the mayor’s private conversations with Villanueva and others.
Details of the Alterations
One Bass confidant told one of the sources that “the mayor didn’t tell the truth when she said she had nothing to do with changing the report.” The source said the confidant advised Bass that altering the report “was a bad idea” because it would hurt her politically. According to the source, the two confidants said Bass held on to the original draft until after the changes were made. The source added that both confidants said they are prepared to testify under oath to verify their accounts if the matter ends up in a legal proceeding.
Response from Bass and the LAFD
In a statement provided after this article was published online Wednesday, Bass’ office denied making changes to the drafts and attacked The Times’ reporting. “The Mayor has been clear about her concerns regarding pre-deployment and the LAFD’s response to the fire, which is why there is new leadership at LAFD and why she called for an independent review of the Lachman Fire mop-up. There is absolutely no reason why she would request those details be altered or erased when she herself has been critical of the response to the fire — full stop. She has said this for months,” the statement said.
Investigation Findings
The Times found that a battalion chief ordered firefighters to roll up their hoses and leave the Lachman burn area the day after the fire was supposedly extinguished, despite complaints by crew members that the ground still was smoldering. The Times reviewed text messages among firefighters and a third party, sent in the weeks and months after the fire, describing the crew’s concerns, and reported that at least one battalion chief assigned to the LAFD’s risk management section knew about them for months.
Conclusion
The alterations to the Palisades fire after-action report have raised significant concerns about transparency and accountability within the Los Angeles Fire Department and the mayor’s office. The changes, which were made to downplay the LAFD’s failures in responding to the fire, have been widely criticized as a “cover-up.” The incident highlights the need for independent investigations and transparent reporting to ensure that those responsible for public safety are held accountable for their actions.
FAQs
Q: What were the changes made to the Palisades fire after-action report?
A: The changes included removing or softening key findings about the LAFD’s actions, such as the decision not to pre-deploy crews to Pacific Palisades before the fire.
Q: Who was involved in making the changes to the report?
A: According to sources, Mayor Karen Bass was involved in making the changes, and she instructed then-interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva to make the changes.
Q: What has been the response from Bass and the LAFD to the allegations?
A: Bass’ office has denied making changes to the drafts, while the LAFD has said that it will not allow similar edits to future after-action reports.
Q: What are the implications of the alterations to the report?
A: The alterations have raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the LAFD and the mayor’s office, and have highlighted the need for independent investigations and transparent reporting.
